Kou Vang – Photo Credit: MSPT
Kou Vang achieved fairly just a few feats when he gained the Mid-States Poker Tour primary occasion in Michigan on the FireKeepers Casino on May 14 that was the biggest poker match within the historical past of the state. It was additionally the third MSPT title gained for the Minnesota native to associate with the 2 titles he had beforehand claimed in his house state final 12 months and all the best way again in 2011. Vang claimed his thirteenth profession title at what was coincidentally his thirteenth MSPT closing desk. His profession earnings now stand at almost $2.3 million because of the highest prize price $314,145.
“Feels great”, Vang informed the MSPT reporters after his victory. He continued, “This is the reason why we play the game is to get life-changing scores like this. I play the game to provide for my family the best I can, and $300k should go a long way.”
The $1,110 buy-in no-limit maintain’em occasion noticed an enormous turnout with 2,471 entries over three beginning flights. The whole prize pool was near $2.4 million, blowing away the $1 million assure. The prime 252 finishers made the cash, with a min-cash being price $2,635. There have been 293 gamers that returned for the ultimate day of play, and the cash bubble burst after only one stage of play.
Notables that made a deep run within the match, however missed the mark of constructing the ultimate desk included Anthony Sedlak (eleventh), Mikk Suggs (twentieth), Umut Ozturk (twenty ninth), and Josh Reichard (thirty third). When the ultimate 9 have been set Vang was tied for third in chips, however three-time World Series of Poker gold bracelet winner Dash Dudley had greater than double his stack to guide the sphere.
Vang scored his first knockout on the closing desk when he took out Adam Thieleman in seventh place, and he adopted that up by busting James Wilson in sixth place. Vang was nonetheless trailing far behind Dudley, however he actually began to shut the hole by taking out George Abi-Zeid in fourth place.
He stored his momentum rolling to tug even in chips with Dudley for the heads-up closing after Vang eradicated Robert Strunk in third place. Vang then constantly gained pots in the course of the closing match to construct a big lead earlier than the chips acquired into the center for the one and solely time between the final two gamers standing.
Dudley acquired his remaining stack into the center preflop with A6
within the gap, and Vang had him lined holding Q
J
. The board was dealt J
6
5
4
8
, and Dudley exited in second place for a pleasant chunk of change price $257,145 in prize cash. He took his profession earnings near $3.4 million with the runner-up rating.
Here is a have a look at the payouts and POY factors awarded to the ultimate desk:
Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
1 | Kou Vang | $314,145 | 1,080 |
2 | Dash Dudley | $257,145 | 900 |
3 | Robert Strunk | $162,885 | 720 |
4 | George Abi-Zeid | $126,955 | 540 |
5 | Melissa Bartelme | $97,252 | 450 |
6 | James Wilson | $76,652 | 360 |
7 | Austin Thieleman | $59,884 | 270 |
8 | Ray Ezzie | $46,710 | 180 |
9 | Edward Dixon | $37,128 | 90 |
The subsequent cease on the Mid-States Poker Tour will happen at Silverado Casino in Deadwood, South Dakota, and the $1,110 primary occasion will run from May 19-21.